Chicago events / March 2019
We recommend the best events, festivals, and fun things to do in Chicago, Illinois.
Orchid Show
March 1 – 24, 2019
See 10,000 blooms at the Orchid Show, which has a photographer hours, orchid sales, and an Evening with Orchids cocktail tasting (March 13) at Chicago Botanic Garden.
Polar Plunge
March 3, 2019
Join 5,000 fundraisers wading into the cold waters of Lake Michigan to support charity at Chicago Polar Plunge at North Avenue Beach, or watch from shore and join the after party with music, food, and cash bar.
Italian wine tasting
March 4, 2019
(5 to 8 p.m.)
Sample wine from 90 top Italian vintners at the walk-around event Great Wines of Italy, with DJ music at Loews Chicago Hotel. Lower price for age 21 to 28.
Opera
March 4 & 22, 2019
(7 p.m.)
Set in romantic Paris, La Traviata is a bittersweet love story by Verdi, sung in Italian with projected English translations at Lyric Opera House.
Custom car show
March 8 – 10, 2019
World of Wheels features hot rods, competition cars, specialty, concept vehicles, and celebrity guests at the Rosemont convention center.
European film festival
March 8 – April 4, 2019
Chicago European Union Film Festival screens 62 new feature films from the 28 nations of the European Union at Gene Siskel Film Center.
Beer festival
March 9, 2019
A ticket to The Chicago Beer Festival includes 40 tasting tickets, with live music and food for sale at The Field Museum for age 21+.
St. Patrick’s beer run/walk
March 9, 2019
Your reward for participating in the Shamrock Chicago 5K Beer Run is a three-ounce beer each kilometer and a pint at the finish in Arlington Heights for age 21+.
Chocolate & wine
March 9 – 10, 2019
Chocolate, Wine & Spirits Expo promises 50 vendors displaying products for you to sample and purchase, wine and spirits tasting, and chef demonstrations at Stephen M. Bailey Auditorium.
Music of Michael Jackson
March 14, 2019
(8:30 p.m.)
Billed as the ultimate Michael Jackson tribute band, Who’s Bad “has assembled a world-class cast of brilliant singers, top musicians, and Broadway dancers to perform all of Jackson’s legendary hits” at House of Blues for age 17+.
St. Patrick’s Day – green river
March 16, 2019
Watch the Chicago River flow green at Dyeing of the Chicago River, which is best viewed “from the east side of Michigan Avenue, the west side of Columbus Drive, or upper and lower Wacker Drive between Michigan Avenue and Columbus Drive.” Free.
St. Patrick’s Day lunch cruise
March 16, 2019
(boarding 3 p.m.)
St. Patrick’s Day Afternoon Booze Cruise includes a lunch buffet, DJ music, dancing, and a no-host bar aboard Mystic Blue, departing from Navy Pier for age 21+.
St. Patrick’s parade
March 16, 2019
The St. Patrick’s Day Parade goes north on Columbus Drive from Balbo to Monroe, rain or shine. Free.
St. Patrick’s run
March 16, 2019
Wear green to the Get Lucky half marathon, 14K, and 7K, which go along the scenic lakeshore.
St. Patrick’s Festival
March 16, 2019
After the big parade, enjoy Irish music, dance, food, activities, and Irish gifts for sale at St. Patrick’s Festival throughout the Irish American Heritage Center. Children age 12 and younger are free.
Children’s expo
March 16 – 17, 2019
The Kids Expo features family-oriented vendors plus children’s activities (some ticketed) at Schaumburg Convention Center.
Ticket deal $8 (adult + child)
Flower and garden show
March 20 – 24, 2019
Chicago Flower & Garden Show features 24 gardens, 90 vendors, cooking demonstrations, seminars, and a kids’ activity garden at Navy Pier.
Shamrock 8K race
March 22 – 24, 2019
Billed as the world’s largest timed 8K race, the Sunday Shamrock Shuffle begins and ends in Grant Park and includes a post-race party. The free health and fitness expo is Friday and Saturday at McCormick Place.
Comic and Entertainment Expo
March 22 – 24, 2019
Chicago Comic and Entertainment Expo (C2E2) is a convention for fans of comics, graphic novels, anime, manga, video games, toys, movies, and pop culture at McCormick Place.
Festival of colors
March 23, 2019
Global Connections: Holi features Indian music and performances in the Aon Grand Ballroom at Navy Pier. Wear a white shirt to be permanently stained if you want to join the traditional throwing of color outdoors. Free admission and colored powder while it lasts.
Whiskey + wine + private jets
March 23, 2019
A ticket to Wine Whiskey Bravo: A Sipping Experience gets you samples of 35 wines and 20 whiskeys, hors d’oeuvres, music, and photo ops with private jets at Chicago Executive Airport in Wheeling for age 21+.
Flower show
March 24 – April 7, 2019
Macy’s Flower Show features flowers and exotic topiaries in landscapes, plus scheduled events at Macy’s on State Street. Free.
War games convention
March 27 – 31, 2019
Adepti Con is a small event with tournaments, event games, pirate gaming, cosplay contests, and hobby seminars at the Renaissance Schaumburg Hotel.
Whisky festival
March 29, 2019
Taste 350 whiskeys, and learn from master distillers and blenders at Whisky Fest Chicago at the Hyatt Regency Chicago.
Rock classics by Queen
March 29, 2019
(8 p.m.)
Hear classic rock songs by Queen (We Will Rock You, We Are The Champions, Bohemian Rhapsody, and more) performed with uncanny realism by One Night of Queen at Rosemont Theatre.
